The Commission establishes sentencing policies and practices for the federal courts. Each year, the Commission reviews and refines these policies in light of congressional action, decisions from courts of appeals, sentencing-related research, and input from the criminal justice community.

In this section, you can follow the Commission’s work through the amendment cycle as priorities are set, research is performed, testimony is heard, and amendments are adopted.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission is an independent agency in the judicial branch that was created as part of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984. Commissioners are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Attorney General, or the Attorney General’s designee, and the Chair of the U.S. Parole Commission serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the Commission.

In this section, learn about the Commission’s mission, structure, and ongoing work.

W

Waive

To validly give up a right, such as a right to trial or right to remain silent. Waivers of rights can be oral or in writing.

Warrant

An order by the court directing an official, such as police officer or probation officer, to act in some manner (such as arrest a person). A defendant who commits an offense while a warrant alleging a violation of a condition of probation, parole, or supervised release is outstanding will receive criminal history points for “status” for being under a “criminal justice sentence” (§4A1.2(m)).